Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Very often, children with a learning disability also have an attention disorder. It is common for LD and AD/HD to be co-morbid, or occurring simultaneously. AD/HD is a neurobiological, developmental disorder that is generally characterized by three symptoms: hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention.

AD/HD is identified in three types:

Predominantly inattentive: inattentiveness is the primary symptom. Children skip parts of the assignment, daydream in class, cannot get organized and are generally forgetful.

Predominantly hyperactive-impulsive: hyperactivity and impulsivity are the primary symptoms. Children are talkative and seem to be constantly moving.

Combined: neither hyperactivity/impulsivity or inattention are the main symptom. Children display characteristics of both.

AD/HD is likely to affect 3 to 5% of the general population, but 26% of children with LD are likely to also have AD/HD. AD/HD is identified in children under the age of 7, and the symptoms with stay with them throughout adulthood. Boys are up nine times more likely to be identified as AD/HD, though this could be because girls tend to have lower levels of the symptoms, and are less likely to be identified.